In This Issue

From jewelers to gyms, bars spaces to car places, people of top caliber to restaurants of definable character, our annual Best of Orlando list reveals the top picks in 89 categories as decided by our readers. We awarded the “Best of’’ designation based on total votes for a candidate—none of that Electoral College nonsense. And to prove that we respect the voters’ wishes, we didn’t disqualify their choice as the “Person who most exemplifies Orlando.”
We can take a joke.

From jewelers to gyms, bars spaces to car places, people of top caliber to restaurants of definable character, our annual Best of Orlando list reveals the top picks in 89 categories as decided by our readers. We awarded the “Best of’’ designation based on total votes for a candidate—none of that Electoral College nonsense. And to prove that we respect the voters’ wishes, we didn’t disqualify their choice as the “Person who most exemplifies Orlando.” We can take a joke.

Since the beginning of 2008 we’ve seen many a restaurant door open, with a select few making a real impression on the local dining scene. Here are the best new eateries listed by their individual types of dining: American, Asian, Cuban, Italian, prix fixe, health-conscious and eclectic.

The Magic told us in June that they were close to a reaching a naming deal on the new Orlando Events Center, but a team spokesman wouldn’t offer any specifics. Therefore, we decided to come up with some sponsorship scenarios of our own.

Linda Chapin, 67, didn’t start out as an Orlando power player. Her foray into the city’s business world was visiting her grand-father at his downtown car dealership in the 1950s. It would take a series of volunteer projects to craft her social conscience and develop the political skills that led to roles as Orange County commissioner and the county’s first chairman (now called mayor). In 2001 Chapin became director of the Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies at the University of Central Florida, focusing on growth, the environment and social policies. She retired from UCF last year.